A Great Commander Loses His Temper
Why did George Patton lose his temper and nearly his command? No one knows for sure. Some historians think that Patton was stressed by terrible scenes of the wounded and dying in the hospital, his sometimes difficult relationship with the British, and several "friendly fire" incidents in which Allied aircraft had bombed American troops by mistake. Patton himself probably explained the strong feelings leading to his explosive behavior best, saying, "I love and admire good soldiers and brave men. I hate and despise slackers and cowards."